NBA Electoral Reform Committee Submits Expanded Report

The Electoral Reform Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has formally presented its expanded electoral reform recommendations to the Association’s President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.

The delegation, chaired by Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, included the Committee Secretary, Mr. Lawrence Ebewele, alongside members Victor Giwa, Mojirayo Ogunlana, and Christopher Areghan.

Presenting the report at NBA National Secretariat, Abuja, the Committee Chairman, Dr. Monday Ubani explained that the proposals were developed in response to long-standing concerns among members about the credibility, transparency, and inclusiveness of NBA elections.

Ubani stressed that the reforms were designed to rebuild trust, enhance participation, and set a new democratic standard for the Association.

He identified key highlights of the reform package to include: strengthening the independence of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), establishing a reliable and auditable digital voter register and deployment of secure, audited electronic voting infrastructure.

Others are early publication of timelines and consistent electoral guidelines, equal access to NBA-owned platforms for campaigns, creation of an independent Electoral Offences and Petitions Body, transparency in campaign financing and enforcement of a code of conduct, among others.

Dr. Ubani expressed gratitude to the NBA President for the opportunity to serve and pledged the Committee’s continued support for the success of his administration.

He emphasised that the reforms are intended to strengthen the NBA as a model of internal democracy.

Receiving the report, the NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN commended the Committee for its diligent work and described the proposals as timely and progressive.

Osigwe noted that some of the recommendations were already under consideration in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, particularly those relating to transparency and campaign finance regulation.

He further stated that candidates would be expected to express their interest early to ensure proper guidance through the electoral legal frameworks, thereby guaranteeing compliance with the ground rules.

The NBA President assured the Committee of the Association’s commitment to fair, credible, and transparent internal elections, which he said must reflect the same democratic standards that the NBA demands in Nigeria’s national elections.

The expanded proposals are regarded as one of the most comprehensive reform efforts yet to address challenges in NBA elections, and are expected to help shape the conduct of future elections within the Association.